What is the best way to handle the terrible twos?
I think the terrible two’s are the prelude to the terrible 3’s, 4’s, and so on. First of all I need to tell you I have a 17 year old (18 in july) and a 4 year old (5 in april) Anyway, I think the phrase is a way to get parents prepared for what gets even worse 🙂 Me, myself, I ignore the behavior, truely not respond in any way shape or form, when they have a tantrum. A child is looking for attention with this behavior. Saying that, be sure when your child is being good, praise him lavishly. Have family time where you spend time just the two of you, having fun. (and dad too) I think the key to having a well adjusted child is the time you spend one on one with them. I do give time outs to my 4 year old, but they are rarely needed. I have a great husband and he’s a great father. We both give our 4 year old daughter lots of attention as a family. Don’t fight in front of your child either, It’s hard, I know, but have a talk with your SO and make an agreement, and if you find yourself in a a
The terrible twos are the first ‘declaration of independance’. There’s a lot of frustration in the two year old. They try to do so many new things and get mad when they can’t do them. As for the temper tantrums, ‘The Nanny’ has a great way of handling it. Ignore the tantrum. It’s a bid for attention. If you give your child attention at this time, he wins and will continue doing it. If you still have a playpen, use it as the ‘naughty place’. It’s padded. Put him in the playpen with no toys when he starts acting out. Say, ‘Call me when you’re done’ and walk away. I would not associate his crib or bed with the ‘naughty spot’, though. When a tantrum happens in a store, restaurant, while visiting…(and they will)…calmly take your son out and take him home or to sit in the car….Say, ‘When you’re done we will continue shopping’. It’s a bit inconvenient for you, but he will get the message pretty quickly and quit using the tantrum to get what he wants or to get your attention. One of my s
